Na, it’s not a Land Rover or Jeep event. But the terrain is really difficult, and it’s also raining. The new electric S-Class SUV from Mercedes-Benz, the EQS SUV for short, is doing very well there. We drive the 580 4matic, the top model of the series with 400 kW (544 hp) and a maximum torque of 858 Newton meters. With the driver and passenger there are a considerable three tons to move, but it succeeds almost playfully. The air suspension, which can create 25 millimeters more ground clearance, and a smart all-wheel drive system that regulates the power distribution between the two motors on the front and rear axles contribute to this. And when things get tight, the rear-axle steering helps, which turns in at ten degrees for an extra charge, then the turning circle of the 5.13 meter long and 1.96 meter high SUV is eleven meters. Otherwise it is 11.50 meters, and all EQS SUVs have 4.5-degree rear-axle steering.
Let’s leave the site, only very few buyers will dare to go into such difficult terrain, if it is allowed at all. But it’s good to know he could if he had to, the Big Dipper. The dimensions are similar to the EQS sedan, but it is 20 centimeters lower. Nevertheless, the developers managed to achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.26. Like the EQS, the wheelbase is 3.21 meters.
This results in a huge amount of space for the SUV, which is available with three rows of seats for an additional charge. Mathematically, the loading volume is 645 to 2100 liters, with the individual seats at the back it is somewhat lower. The tailgate opens electrically, the large doors do not do what one can perceive as a shortcoming, if only because they are open from the inside to grab. The EQS is offered in the versions 580, 450+ and 450, with the latter being the basic model. It only has one motor on the rear axle, so strictly speaking it is rear-wheel drive.
The large battery alone weighs around 700 kilos
265 kW (360 hp) and a maximum torque of 568 Newton meters are available. We drove the 450+ nearly 150 miles on American roads and used just under 40 percent of the energy stored in the 108kWh battery. Be careful, the specified standard range of up to 671 kilometers is not far from reality. The plus in the type designation for the 450 not only indicates the double engine, the maximum torque is then an impressive 800 Newton meters at 360 hp. The fact that the EQS SUVs are extremely heavy is in the nature of things, the large battery alone weighs around 700 kilos. This results in an unladen weight of 2.62 or 2.73 tons (4 × 4), a gross vehicle weight of 3.26 (3.37) tons.
It goes without saying that the EQS SUV offers everything in terms of assistance and infotainment systems that is standard in the luxury class today, and new software can also be loaded “over the air”. The huge hyperscreen costs extra, but the digital landscape that opens up in front of the driver is impressive anyway. The EQS can charge at the fast charging stations with a maximum of 200 kW, which, according to the manufacturer, allows the energy supply to be refreshed from ten to 80 percent in half an hour. You can work with 22 kW on the home wall box for an additional charge. The EQS SUV is built exclusively in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The battery is also produced on site. Mercedes has invested $1 billion in a new factory. The order books are already open, starting at just under 111,000 euros for the 450. The first vehicles should reach the German market at the end of this year.
